American Offshore Services (A-O-S), Providence, R.I., has taken delivery of the newly built crew transfer vessel (CTV) Guarder from shipbuilder Blount Boats, Warren, R.I.
The 98’ Jones-Act-compliant aluminum catamaran is purpose-built to transfer technicians and equipment in support of the offshore wind industry on the U.S. East Coast. It has capacity to accommodate 24 passengers.
The newbuild is the third G-Class series CTV delivered to A-O-S in 2024. A-O-S is a partnership between Swedish CTV operator Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S) and U.S.-based investment firm Orion Infrastructure Capital (OIC).
A-O-S’ G-Class vessels are being built according to ABS and U.S. Coast Guard standards. Each features quad Volvo Penta IPS propulsion. Guarder is a “hybrid-ready”, meaning it has been built with extra space on board to enable a conversion to hybrid in the future.
The G-Class CTVs are equipped with N-O-S's fender design, which has been proven on windfarms throughout Europe, and has shown “unparalleled gripping qualities which increases transfer performance", according to A-O-S.
“We have taken delivery of three vessels in three quarters. The industry is growing and the demand for CTVs is steady," said Michael Burbelo, managing director at A-O-S. “As I said earlier this year, we are just getting started."
